Thames valley HOG december 2014

DECEMBER 2014

Magazine of the Thames Valley HOG Chapter

Sue

My Christmas hairdo

Last magazine of the year and I hope you all had a good one! I asked, in November’s mag, if YOU, riders and pillions, would write just a few words about your riding year, your favourite ride, rally or event. I’m not asking for a whole page but just a few words and a picture or two, if you have one. With membership of around 200, how many do you think I got? You’ve guessed, NONE! Come on everyone, this is your club, your mag, and I need your input, especially through the winter months when there’s not too much club activity to write about. Even though we’ve reached the end of the year and the cold weather has settled in, we’ve had two good toy runs this month, well attended - read about them on pages 10 and 18. We’ve had the LoH weekend away, we’ve had the Christmas Meal, which was a week-end away for the many who stayed at the Calcot Hotel.

We have the Ladies New Year Dinner coming up in January and the club Winter Bash in February. We will also be having our monthly, Saturday Socials through the winter months. So, a lot to look forward to before the new year riding season begins. On behalf of Thames Valley, I wish you ALL a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a healthy, prosperous NEW YEAR

Inside this issue…

Front cover: For all TV members who have been good this year. Watch your Chimney ;).

Page 2 Editor’s thoughts

Page 4, 7 Director’s Update

Page 8, 9 LoH - Sue’s Scribbles

Page 10, 11 Broom Farm Toy Run

Page 12 Fine Pig

Page 13 New Members

Page 14, 15 Calendar

Page 16,17 Ladies of Harley - Bath

Page 18,19 Reading Toy Run

Page 20 Poker Run

Page 21 Treasurer’s News

Page 22 Notices

Page 23, Santa Run - Pat Adams

Page 24, 25 Photo Gallery

Page 26, 27 News, notices Back cover: Meet the committee

Dec/ January

Birthdays

Joyce Parry 22nd Dec

Michelle Patterson 28th Sue Dodds 5th Jan

Ed Wyatt 5th Jan

Bernie Meason 6th Jan

Fred Cotsford 11th Jan

Shirley Churchill 14th Jan

Colin Wilkins 15th Jan

Happy birthday to

you all!

Thanks to all who have sent copy for this month magazine: Linda, Don, Sue B, Sue D, Nick, Pat A, Colin

4

Welcome to the Christmas edition of Tales from the Riverbank. Dare I say it? Christmas is now only a week away! I hope you have all now got most of the shopping done and it’s just the wife’s gift to buy on Christmas Eve. Marjorie Rae has just announced the details for the 2015 Directors’ meeting which is being held January 17

th in Edinburgh. The weekend meeting will be a

time to discuss Hog & Chapter business including events for 2015. The results for the 2014 Chapter Challenge mileage program are announced and the awards given to the chapters and members. Broom farm Toy Run A few weeks back Thames Valley supported the Broom Farm Toy Run in Windsor. Around 500 Bikes & Scooters joined the parade ride from the coach park just off Barry Avenue in the town centre. The parade ride was led by the Mayor of the Royal Borough through the town centre and up to the Broom Farm estate to the Armed Forces Community Centre, to drop off toys and gifts for the children whose parents are away on active duty. The day finished with hot drinks and food being served to the supporters of the ride. Many thanks to Lee, Fred, Nick & Colin for volunteering to marshal on the day.

Sofer 2015 After attending a Sofer planning meeting just a little distance from Hickstead the new home of SOFER, things are starting to get going and already Nick and Andy have got some great ideas for the bands to en-tertain us over the weekend. The Ladies of Harley ride on Friday evening is coming together with a theme of My Little Pony. that should in interesting! Barry who looks after the Trader Village has started taking bookings for pitches and contacting some new traders to get them on board next year. Ticket sales are starting to move with over 300 sold to date already, I now have Thames Valleys allocation of tickets and they will be available this evening. 2015 Events January 17

th we have a planning meeting to put the

calendar together for 2015, we still need ideas from you for Rides, Rallies & Events you would like the ac-tivities Team & Road Crew to put together for next year, we do have some ideas already in the calendar but some new ideas would be great. Contact Toni, Barry or use the suggestion box at club night. That’s another great year just about over, and all that remains from me is to thank the committee and road crew for their continued support and hard work over the last 12 months.

Hazel and I would like to wish you all a very

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Don

Hi Everybody

5

By now the Chapter Christmas Party will have taken place at the Calcot Hotel in Reading, 42 members joined together to celebrate Christmas and party till the early hours of Sunday morning. The evening generated some great pictures, for January’s mag. Reading Toy Run

This year’s Toy run was probably one of the best so far. So many from Thames Valley attended this year with around 20 detailed for marshalling duties at our regular location on the

Showcase roundabout. The main car park at Foster Wheeler became full about an hour before the ride was due to leave. The marshals needed to start parking bikes in the lower car park as more and more riders turned up for the ride to Barnardo’s. This year was a special year for the Reading Toy Run as the committee had arranged for the number of riders and pillions to be entered in the Guinness Book of Records and to set a record for the first time. The official count for the Reading Toy Run, 1773 riders and 556 pillions, this is a great start to the first entry in the Guinness Book of records, a great toy run.

6

I wonder how many toy runs around the country will a have a go at trying to beat the Reading Toy Run Record?

The picture to the left is of Ben from the organizing committee of the Reading Toy Run receiving the Certificate of recognition for the entry into the Guinness Book of Records. Can I say a huge thank you to all of the Thames Valley

members who braved the cold weather and some rain to be part of the 29

th Reading Toy Run and a special thank you to all that

marshaled on the Showcase roundabout. Another toy run over and a great job well done by the team.

Reading Harley Davidson

The Demolition work continues on the old garage preparing the way for the new building to be delivered and erected. These pictures were taken December 1

st .

The work is moving on very fast.

Chapter Mileage Challenge Another great year for the mileage challenge a total of 48 mileages have been returned this year with a total number of miles covered this year by our ladies 35,935 and from the chaps 166,396 giving us a grand total of 202,233 miles, if my maths is correct. Prizes for the highest mileages later this evening.

7

SofER2015 After attending a SofER planning meeting just a little distance from Hickstead, the new home of SofER, things are starting to get going and already Nick and Andy have got some great ideas for the bands to entertain us over the weekend. The Ladies of Harley ride on Friday evening is coming together with a theme of My Little Pony. That should in interesting! Barry, who looks after the Trader Village, has started taking bookings for pitches and contacting some new traders to get them on board next year. Ticket sales are starting to move with over 300 sold to date already. I now have Thames Valley’s allocation of tickets and they will be available this evening.

2015 Events On January 17

th we have a planning meeting to put the 2015

calendar together. We still need ideas from you for rides, rallies & events that you would like the activities Team & Road Crew to add for next year. We do have some ideas already in the calendar but some new ideas would be great. Contact Toni or Barry, or use the suggestion box at club night. That’s another great year just about over, and all that remains from me is to thank the committee and road crew for their continued support and hard work over the last 12 months. Hazel and I would like to wish you all a very

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Don

Sue says...

8

Well what can I say girls… Such a fab weekend we had in Bath. This must have been the most attended LoH event to date, it’s certainly the most popular one that I have organised in the four

years that I have been your LoH rep. All in all there were 20 ladies raring to go for a weekend of feasting and foraging round the shops and market stalls for the perfect Christmas gift. By the look of the mini bus on the way home I don’t think it could fit any more in ... maybe a roof-rack and trailer next year! A big thank you goes to Trudy for driving the mini bus and getting us there and back safely. I was asked by our National LoH rep. (Elaine ) to send a few photos and words about our antics to HOG, so look out to see if Thames Valley made it into the HOG e-mag this month. One of the most fun rides of the year, and usually the last one of the season, was the Reading Toy Run. What a fantastic turn out it was with over 1,700 bikes. I was proud to be part of setting a new entry in the Guiness Book of Records. Not forgetting the main reason for the ride was to deliver gifts to children at Dr. Barnardo’s.

Love Sue x

9

“

Don’t forget the New Year meal on 17

th January. I know that not everyone

can make the date but that just gives us an excuse for another outing. Please put your names down on the list and let’s see if we can break another record and get more than 20 ladies round the table. This will be the last event that I organise as your LoH rep so please do your best to come along and give me a good send off. Hope you all have a happy and healthy Christmas,

Quote: “A

great bunch

of girlies, the

whole weekend

was fab.”

Sue B to HOG

Quote: “A great weekend with great girls, totally shopped out at a prefect venue. LoH is about making good friends forever :-) Sue B to HOG

Broom Farm was attended by over two hundred

bikes of all shapes and sizes, many Santas and the

odd reindeer, and one Christmas Tree.

The weather was good to us and with the café

being open again this year the sausage and bacon

rolls were good too . Linda

11

We like to get to know our members through

this feature so, if you’d like to appear on this

page, email the editor or speak to Sue at club

night or ask any committee member.

Our last Saturday Social saw some unclublike behaviour, that was punishable by FINE! Even the Fine Mistress didn’t get away with it…

Pat A - for vandalising the table

CJ - for saying that LoH was going down the pan

Don - the last to arrive but the first to get served. We

think he took someone else’s or bribed the waiters

Dave K - For singing the praises of Goldwings & Suzukis and at club night…

Alan Parry - his mobile rang during Don’s notices’ talk.

Thames Valley would like to

extend a very warm welcome to

our new member:

Jackie Gardner

13

December

Club Night

Thurs 18th 7:30

NO ACE CAFÉ MEETING

This month

January

Committee Night

Tues 6th, 8:00

Saturday Social

Sat. 10th

Venue TBA

Club Night

AGM

Thurs 15th, 7:30

Road Captains’ Meeting

Saturday 17th 9:00

Stafferton Lodge

Ladies of Harley

New Year Meal

Saturday17th, 6:00 pm

Stafferton Lodge

14

February

Committee Night

Tues 3rd, 8:00

TV Winter Bash

Sat. 14th S’Able

7:30 ‘til late

Club Night

Thurs 19th, 7:30

Saturday Social

Sat. 21st, 12:30

Venue TBA

CHECK WEBSITE FOR

EXTRA EVENTS,

ALTERATIONS

AND UPDATES

Jan. Cont.

Ace Café

Thurs 29th

6:00

Club Nights

January 15th

February 19th

March 19th

April 16th

May 21st

Mag contribution

Deadlines

January 8th

February 12th

March 12th

April 9th

May 14th

Dates, events, ride-outs and activities

Details correct at time of going to print. Check the website for updates and amendments

www.thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

15

Entries for your Diary 2015

2015

Cider Rally - 1st -4th May

(Club event)

Harley-Davidson Euro Festival

Grimaud, St-Tropez

7th - 10th May

Chill-Out Weekend

22nd - 25th May

Ireland Bike Fest

29th May - 1st June

Blazin’ Twenties

New Forest Rally

25th - 28th Sept

Check website for Changes / further

details on all events

16

Linda

The weather was with us, and after lunch at a pub in Avebury we made our way to the Waterside Travel Lodge in Bath. Dinner tonight was at Giraffe, a bistro opposite the train station. And after a misty start to the Saturday morning the sun came out and, trying to work our way through the huge crowds began. It did prove a bit much for some of us and other attractions beckoned. Going into the Abbey and going on the open top bus to see the Royal Crescent. We then came back to the Christmas market when the coaches had left. With dinner at Sally Lunn’s arranged, the day grew to a very satisfactory close. We stopped at a huge garden centre in Lacock on the way home Sunday and did some more shopping. Amazing driving from Trudy, great organizing from Sue B, and of course lovely photos from me..ha ha.

Time to go home...

17

THEY’RE QUACKERS!

Big buns at Sally Lunn’s!

What goes on in Bath...

...stays in Bath!

Sunday, 7th Dec. dawned, fresh and bright but boy, was it cold! Foster Wheeler car park soon filled up and the overflow car park had to be used. A lot of Thames Valley Chapter took on their marshalling duties but quite a few just joined in the ride. This special event was making a bid for an entry into the Guinness Book of Records - the most people on a Toy Run. There were strict rules and procedures to follow but we made it! With 1,775 riders and pillions handing in toys and having their wrist bands counted, this is the number to beat! Barnardo’s made us all very welcome with handmade cards given out by the children, and hot tea and biscuits to warm us. A great day!

20

One of the best years for

our Poker Run! This year the

gang drew 187 cards and set

the bar high to win. Previous

years, 2 pairs, or 3 of a kind

would have been enough to

win but nothing less than a

Full House would have given

you the top prize this year. ALL of the money gets distributed as prizes, very much like

a sweepstake, and so the top prize was £100 this year - well worth coming out for each

month through the summer.

WINNER: Sue Knight, with a FULL HOUSE

SECOND: Deb West, with 3 of a kind - Queens

THIRD: Sue Poulter, with 3 of a kind - Eights

A good helping of players came in with 2 PAIRS, including Nij, Gopher, Dianne,

Yvonne and Fred. Other players ending with a single PAIR included Trish, Mick and

Linda Friend, Don and Hazel, Mick Benson, Sue Dodds, Pat and Ron Jackson, Linda

Robson, Dave Knight, Ray and Lainey, CJ and myself.

Other players who supported the Poker Run on a regular basis, but with no qualifying

hands ,included Malcolm Poulter, Tony Robson, Chris and Janet Smith and Bernie D.

For those who don't know about our Poker Run just ask any committee member

about how this regular meeting through the spring / summer months is yet another

excuse to hang out with a great bunch. 2015 Poker Runs start in April and usually hap-

pen on the Wednesday a week before club night. We meet at a different local pub

each month and you pay £1 for a card towards your hand. At the end of the year you

should have 7 cards (if you come every month) and hopefully a winning hand.

Make a note to get involved in the 2015 Poker Run. You know it makes sense !

Nick

21

Hi everybody, from your treasurer

of eleven years, and counting!

I have been asked, (one could say bullied!) by our beloved editor to

put together a short resume of my duties as treasurer of Thames

Valley Chapter. So, I am at the moment sitting at my desk trying to

expand on the obvious answer of, "I look after the money, don't I?"

Well, primarily, it is the responsibility of the treasurer to be account-

able for the chapter funds and issue a detailed report to the committee

on a monthly basis, which is then submitted to H.O.G.

This takes the form of a written report and also a monthly updated

spreadsheet. Any issues arising regarding costs or invoices are then

discussed and appropriate action taken.

At the end of the year I also issue a final, condensed report to the

Chapter, and also to our masters at H.O.G headquarters.

Chapter funds, since 2010 ( the demise of our old dealership), have

relied solely upon membership renewals, merchandise sales and the

monthly raffle. They have had to cover operating costs such

as the printing of our magazine, hire of the hall for club

nights, officer training, subsidising our events,

Sportsable memberships and postage and stationery

etc. So, needless to say, I'm looking forward to the

added financial support that will come with the opening of

our new dealership, and would like to thank all our

members for their continuing support of

Thames Valley Chapter.

Colin

[email protected]

ADVERTISE YOUR COMPANY HERE

Christmas

Greetigs

THAMES VALLEY

YOUR LOGO

An advertisement for your business in this magazine AND on the website

will cost ONLY £25 for a year. Thousands reached on the web and

hundreds more in 12 issues.

See Don, Lee or Sue for more info.

22

On Sunday 7

th December I

took part in the Annual Santa Run in Victoria

Park, London .

We put together a

team of 10 to take

on either the 5K or

10K route!

Needless to say I opted for the 5K.

We even blatantly exploited two spaniels, Max and Murphy

who certainly provided the AHHHHH factor!

We all completed our chosen mission, along with 3,490

other Santas, and

all-in-all we raised

£4374 for the

horticultural

charity,

Greenfingers.

They build

gardens at

children’s

Hospices

throughout the

country.

24

DIRECTOR’S SOCKS

25

Raffle tickets for this amazing

Christmas Hamper will be

on sale at Club Nights,

November and December.

Bumper Christmas raffle

and Hamper Raffle

Get your tickets tonight! Seasons

Greetings!

youtube.com/user/ tvwebmaster1

facebook.com/groups/ thamesvalleyhog

Club Venue: SportsAble, Braywick Sports Ground, Maidenhead, SL6 1BN

Don Wibberley Chapter Director Email: director @thamesvallyhog.org.uk

Pat Adams Assistant Director Email: assistantdirector@

Colin Wilkins Treasurer Email: treasurer@

Sue Moyler Secretary Email: secretary@

Fred Cotsford Membership Officer Email: membership@

Nij Jones Head Road Captain Email: headroadcaptain@

Nick West Safety Officer & Historian Email: historian@

Barry Adams Activities Officer Email: activities@

Sue Brown Ladies of Harley Email: ladiesofharley@

Lee White Webmaster Email: webmaster@

Sue Knight Editor Email: editor@

Bernie Meason Photographer Email: photographer@

Linda Friend Photographer Email: photographer@

Shirley Churchill Merchandise Email: merchandise@


facebook.com/groups/ thamesvalleyhog


Don Wibberley Chapter Director Email: director @thamesvallyhog.org.uk

Pat Adams Assistant Director Email: assistantdirector@

Colin Wilkins Treasurer Email: treasurer@

Sue Moyler Secretary Email: secretary@

Fred Cotsford Membership Officer Email: membership@

Nij Jones Head Road Captain Email: headroadcaptain@

Nick West Safety Officer & Historian Email: historian@


Sue Brown Ladies of Harley Email: ladiesofharley@




Linda Friend Photographer Email: photographer@

Shirley Churchill Merchandise Email: merchandise@


Pat Adams Assistant Director Email: assistantdirector@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Colin Wilkins Treasurer Email: treasurer@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Fred Cotsford Membership Officer Email: membership@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk


Shirley Churchill Merchandise Email: merchandise@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Sue Moyler Secretary Email: secretary@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Don Wibberley Chapter Director Email: director@

Nick West Safety Officer & Historian Email: historian @thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Nij Jones Head Road Captain Email: headroadcaptain@ Thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Sue Brown Ladies of Harley Email: ladiesofharley@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk

Linda Friend Photographer Email: photographer@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk




Toni Charles Activities Officer Email: activities@ thamesvalleyhog.org.uk


facebook.com/groups thamesvalleyhog

http://www.youtube.com/user/tvwebmaster1


http://www.facebook.com/groups/thamesvalleyhog










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Thames valley HOG december 2014